Preparation of mono-terpenoid products



United States Patent 3,417,109 PREPARATION OF MONO-TERPENOID PRODUCTS Govindan Velayudhan Nair and Gopalkrishna Dattarain Pandit, Bandra, Bombay, India, assignors to Lever Brothers Company, New York, N.Y., a corporation No Drawing. Filed May 23, 1966, Ser. No. 551,898 Claims priority, application Great Britain, May 24, 1965, 21,805/65 9 Claims. (Cl. 260347.8)

ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE The specification discloses the preparation of linalool oxide by contacting a 2,3-epoxy ester of a 2, 6-dimethyloctadien-8-ol with an acid catalyst in the presence of an inert solvent at a temperature between 0 C. and the reflux temperature of the solvent.

This invention relates to a method for synthetically preparing linalool oxide.

Linalool oxide has been isolated in small yield from a wide variety of natural products and shown to have an extremely pleasant perfume. It has been blended with a number of other chemical compounds to prepare a wide range of perfumery products. Owing to the demand for linalool oxide thus created much experimental research has been carried out in an effort to find an economic and efficient method for its preparation. Due to the labile character of the intermediates involved this has, up to now, provided a very difficult problem.

The invention provides a process for preparation of linalool oxide as herein defined which comprises reacting the 2,3-epoxy acylate of a 2,6-dimethyl-octadien-8ol with an acid catalyst in an inert solvent. In this specification and claims references to linalool oxide are to be taken as references to the mixture of the cis and trans isomeric 2-methyl-2-vinyl5hydroxyisopropyl-tetrahydrofuran which represents the product known as linalool oxide in the literature.

The process of this invention enables linalool oxide of high purity to be prepared in comparatively high yield. 2,3-epoxy 2,6-dimethyl-oct-6-en-8yl acylates are readily prepared by methods described in such references as Bull. Soc. Chim. France (1963), pages 376378, and E. Klein and W. Rojahn, Dragaco Report 3 (1964), 51. An example of one such method is set out herein as follows.

19.5 g. pure geranyl acetate was added dropwise to a well stirred and cooled solution (0 C.) of 21 g. monoperphthalic acid in 250 ml. ether. The mixture was further stirred for an hour at C, and left overnight in the refrigerator. Next day, the precipitated phthalic acid was removed by filtration. The ether solution was washed with an aqueous solution of sodium bicarbonate and then an aqueous sodium thiosulphate solution followed by water. The ether solution was then dried over anhydrous magnesium sulphate and was distilled under vacuum after removal of the solvent. The epoxy acylate obtained was 2,3-epoxy geranyl acetate (14.5 g.), B.P. IOU-102 C./ 1.5 mm. (GLC showed only a single peak).

2,3-epoxy neryl acetate can also be prepared by this method and is suitable for conversion to linalool oxide by the process of the present invention. Nerol and geraniol are isomeric 2,6-dimethyl-2,6-octadien-8-ols.

Although the acetates of nerol and geraniol have been used as the most readily available esters this reaction can be also carried out if the formate, propionate, butyrate, benzoate or phenyl acetate ester of nerol or geraniol is used. For the sake of convenience in this specification the benzoate and phenyl acetate groups are regarded as acylate groups.

3,417,109 Patented Dec. 17, 1968 Mixing of the epoxy acylate compounds with the acid catalyst may be brought about by a number of different methods. Two preferred methods are exemplified as:

(l) Dissolving the epoxy acylate compound in an inert solvent, stirring and optionally cooling the solution thus obtained and adding the acid catalyst while the temperature is maintained between 0 C. and 25 C.

(2) Dripping the epoxy acylate compound into a stirred combination of acid catalyst and solvent while the temperature is maintained between 0 C. and 25 C.

The temperature of the reaction mixture may be varied from 0 C. to the refluxing temperature of the solvent. For maximum yields the temperature of the reaction mixture, after the addition of acid catalyst, should be maintained between 25 and 30 C.

The time of the reaction may vary from 3 to 60 hours, preferably being about 40 hours. For reaction periods as short as 3 hours it is necessary to reflux the solutions containing the epoxy acylate compound and acid catalyst..

The yield of linalool oxide obtained by this method is not as high as with other conditions although plant utilisation is improved.

Suitable acid catalysts include sulphuric, hydrochloric, phosphoric or p-toluene sulphonic acids. The concentration of the acid catalyst in the reaction solution varies from 0.5 to 50% w./v.

The preferred catalyst is sulphuric acid which may be used either in a form diluted with water or diluted with organic solvent. The concentration of the sulphuric acid which is to be added to the reactant solution may vary from 5 to 100% although it is preferred to use a 60% w./v. solution. The yield and purity of the linalool oxide obtained is greatly affected by the concentration of the acid catalyst.

Sulphuric, hydrochloric or ortho-phosphoric acid are preferably employed as acid catalysts in this reaction in solvents of a polar type. Acetone, methanol and ethanol are preferred solvents. p-Toluene sulphonic acid is best employed in a nonpolar solvent such as chloroform or an aromatic hydrocarbon solvent for example benzene or toluene.

After reacting the 2,3-epoxy 2,6-dimethyl oct-6-en-8-yl acylate with the acid, linalool oxide is recovered by the standard methods of dilution of the reaction mixture with water or saturated saline, ether extraction, washing and drying the ether extract over magnesium sulphate, evaporation of the ether and vacuum distillation of the residue.

The yield of linalool oxide produced in this manner can be as high as (of theoretical). Pure linalool oxide has a refractive index at 20 C. of 1.4510 an optical activity [0:1 of 0.93 and a boiling range of 6080 C./ 8 mm.

As has already been stated linalool oxide is essentially a mixture of cis and trans 2-methyl-2-vinyl-5-hydroxyisopropyl tetrahydrofuran. These isomers are shown as two majorv peaks in gas chromatographic analysis. The cis isomer has a retention time of 5.75 minutes and the trans isomer a retention time of 6.50 minutes.

The fu'rano compounds may be separated by a chromatographic procedure involving the use of alumina. The mixture is successively eluted with dry (4060) petroleum ether containing increasing amounts of benzene and finally pure benzene. The pure cis-isomer is extracted by (4060) petroleum ether containing 10% v./v. benzene. It has an optical activity [a] of 9.7 and a refractive index at 20 C. of 1.4490. The trans isomer could not be isolated in a completely pure form by this method.

The process of the invention is illustrated by the following examples.

EXAMPLE I (a) To a well stirred solution of 10 g. of 2,3-epoxy 3 geranyl acetate in 50 ml. of acetone kept at a temperature between C. and 25 C. was added 10 ml. of 60% w./v. aqueous sulphuric acid. This reaction mixture was set aside overnight. Next day the reaction mixture was diluted C.) and then set aside in the refrigerator overnight. Next day the reaction product was diluted with 200 ml. water and the methanol removed in a rotary evaporator. The residue was ether extracted twice (each time with 150 ml.

with 200 ml. of a saturated aqueous solution of sodium 5 ether). The combined ether layer was Washed free from chloride and ether extracted twice (each time with 150 acid with aqueous sodium bicarbonate solution and dried ml.). The ether extracts were combined, washed free of over anhydrous magnesium sulphate. Ether was then reacid with aqueous sodium bicarbonate solution and dried moved and the residue distilled under vacuo.

over anhydrous magnesium sulphate. Ether was then evap- Yield 1.7 g., B.P. 6080/ 8 mm. (22% of theoretical). orated and the residue distilled under vacuo. 10

Yield 4.7 g., B.P. 60-75/6 mm. (59.75% of theo- XAMP V retical).

(b) In a further similar experiment the reaction mixture 900 P-toluene Sulphomc acid was adiled to 50111 was left for 40 hours before working up as in the manner tlofl of 10 of P Y geranyl acetate 111 100 of hereihabove described, benzene kept at room temperature. The reaction mixture Yi ld 5 9 g 75 0 mm 75% of the) was set aside overnight at room temperature. The benzene i 1 solution was then washed free of acid with aqueous sodi- EXAMPLE 11 um bicarbonate solution, dried over anhydrous magnesium sulphate and distilled.

To a well stirred solution of 14 g. 2,3-epoxy geranyl Yield 15 g mm 875% of the() acetate in 75 ml. of acetone was added ml. of 29% retical). w./v. sulpuhric acid, maintaining the temperature of the EXAMPLE VI reaction mixture at 25 C. This mixture was set aside for two days at room temperature 5 At the end of 10 g. of 2,3-epoxy geranyl acetate was dissolved in 50 hi period, paht f the acetone was removed by evapora r ml. o f acetone and the solutionkept at a temperature of tion in vacuo. The residue was poured into water and 50 P R Q 301d 1 were dfOpWlSe ether extracted. The ether extract was washed free from aflded Wlth Vlgorous stlrnng- The mlxture f acid with aqueous sodium bicarbonate solution and dried nlght at room p l worlfed P y dllutlon Wlth over anhydrous magnesium sulphate Ether Was then water and ether extraction as described in previous examevaporated and the residue distilled under vacuo. The pur- 3O P a ity of the linalool oxide produced by this method was Yleld 60-85 /8 of theorencanestimated at 90% by a GLC method.

Yield 5 g., B.P. 60-80/9 mm. 41.5% of theoretical). EXAMPLE VII EXAMPLE 111 4.5 g. of 2,3-epoxy geranyl acetate was mixed with 25 35 ml. of 60% w./v. sulphuric acid at room temperature 25 The above Xp T i i g w i of C. and kept well stirred for 24 hours. At the end of this 33 1 fig g 3 a T p i n} one t period the mixture was poured into ice cold water and 18011 p i acl e g g fi extracted with ether. The ether layer was then washed free i 2 2 3 g d d 3 of acid with aqueous sodium bicarbonate solution, dried 0O Y e f E 0 escn e i 40 over anhydrous magnesium sulphate and distilled. The disf f ig Y o e 0X1 6 was es 6 tillate, B.P. 70-85 0/84 mm., weighed 1.5 g. of a g 8 B P 800/9 31 57 f th theoretical). On analysis (by GLC) the distillate was I a 0 found to be a mixture of at least eight compounds includ- 6 ma EXAMPLE IV ing linalool oxide. In order to obtain a pure product it 45 therefore appears necessary that a solvent for the reactants 10 g. of 2,3-epoxy geranyl acetate was added to a solube used. tion of 5 0 ml. of 5% w./v. methanolic sulphuric acid Table I illustrates further similar experiments. The cooled to a temperature of about 0 C. The reaction mixgeneral pattern of working out was the same as in examture was stirred for three hours at room temperature (25 ples described above.

TABLE I Exp. Reactant Solvent Acid catalyst Time and temp. Remarks 1 400 mg. 2,3-epoxy neryl acetate 10 ml. acetone. 2 ml. 60% w./v. 20 hrs. room temp- Linalool oxides formed were H2804. detected in GLC 20 m1. acetone..." 8 ml. 60% w./v. .-...d0 1.5 g. linalool oxides 90% pure r i. by GLC. 10 ml. acetone 5 ml. 1% w./v. HESO! .do No linalool oxide. 2.5 ml. 2.5% w./v. do Trace amounts of linalool oxide H2804. detected in GLC. 5 do do 1th mS1.O% \v./v. ...do Linalool oxide a major product. 6 .do -.do 1.5 iiil. 30% w./v. .do Do.

H2304. 1 ml 78%w /v Do. 8 1 g. 2,3-epoxy geranyl butyrate do Lffimslbti0% w./v. .do Linalool oxide in GLC. 9 10 g. 2,3-epoxy geranyl acetate 75 ml. acetone-.. 15 nil. w./v. 3 hrs. refluxing 1.5 g.lina1ool oxide distilled H2804. temperature. pure by GLO. 10 do ml. benzene". 600 mg. p-toluene do 1.5 g. linalool oxide.

sulphonic acid.

11 12 g. 2,3-epoxy geranyl acetate 75 ml. acetone.- 25 ml. 29% w./v. 40 hours room 4.5 g. of 90% pure linalool oxide H2804. mp. on GLC.

12 5 g. 2,3-epoxy geranyl aeetote 50 m1. methanol--- 2.5 g. 98% w./v. 20 hours room Ligaltifioll (ZXlde is major product on 4. mp. is a e.

13 10 g. 2,3-epoxy geranyl acetate 50 ml. acetone..." 10 ml. 60 %W./v. 40 hours room 5.9g oi distillate 90% pure H 04. temp. linalool oxide (approx.).

14 do do 10 ml. 60% w./v. 60 hours room 5.7 g. of 90% pure linalool H1804. mp. oxide (approx.).

15 do do. 10 ml. 20% H01 501.... 40 hours room 5 g. of distillate contained about temp. 30% linalool oxide.

16 .do do 10 ml. 60% w./v. Refluxed for 3 5.5 g. of distillate of 90% pure H2804. houlil s on water linalool oxide.

It may be noted from this table (Experiments 3 and 4) that when sulphuric acid of concentration less than 5% w./v. is used as the acid catalyst then the yield of linalool oxide is negligible.

What is claimed is:

1. A process for the preparation of linalool oxide which comprises contacting a solution of an epoxy acylate selected from the group consisting of 2,3-epoxy geranyl formate, 2,3-epoxy neryl formate, 2,3-epoxy geranyl acetate, 2,3-epoxy neryl acetate, 2,3-epoxy geranyl propionate, 2,3-epoxy neryl propionate, 2,3-epoxy geranyl butyrate, 2,3-epoxy neryl butyrate, 2,3-epoxy geranyl benzoate, 2,3-epoxy neryl benzoate, 2,3-epoxy geranyl phenyl acetate and 2,3-epoxy neryl phenyl acetate in an inert solvent with a catalyst acid selected from the group consisting of hydrochloric acid, phosphoric acid, sulphuric acid and p-toluene sulphonic acid.

2, A process according to claim 1 in which the reaction is carried out at a temperature between 0 C. and the refluxing temperature of the reaction mixture.

3. A process according to claim 2 in which the concentration of acid in the reaction mixture is between 0.5 and 50% w./v.

4. The process of claim 3 wherein the temperature of the reaction mixture comprising an epoxy acylate, an acid catalyst, and an inert solvent, is maintained between 25 C. and 30 C.

5. The process of claim 2 wherein the inert solvent is a polar solvent and the acid catalyst is selected from the group consisting of hydrochloric acid, sulphuric acid, and o-phosphoric acid.

6. The process of claim 5 wherein the polar solvent is selected from the group consisting of methanol, ethanol and acetone.

7. The process of claim 5 wherein the inert solvent is water, and the catalyst acid is sulphunic acid at a concentration of from 0.5 to weight to volume.

8. The process of claim 1 wherein the acid is present at a concentration of weight to volume, and the reaction temperature is maintained between 25 C. and 30 C., after addition of the catalyst.

9. The process of claim 1 wherein the inert solvent is selected from the group consisting of chloroform and aromatic hydrocarbons and the acid catalyst is p-toluene sulphonic acid.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,184,480 5/1965 McConnell et al. 260-347.8 

